STERLING, Va. — Nearly eight months after a deadly home explosion in Sterling claimed the life of beloved volunteer firefighter Trevor Brown and left several others injured, Loudoun County Fire announced Tuesday that criminal charges have been filed ─ including manslaughter.
A jury has indicted Roger Bentley, a former employee of Southern States Cooperative, Inc. – Leesburg – Fairfax Petroleum Service. The Feb. 16 explosion at 347 Silver Ridge Dr. not only led to the death of Brown but also caused an estimated $2.5 million in property damage.
Following an investigation by the Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Fire Marshal’s Office, it was determined that the explosion was the result of a dangerous propane leak. A 500-gallon underground propane tank had leaked uncontained gas into and around the home, which was subsequently ignited by an unknown source.
On Monday, the Loudoun County Grand Jury reviewed the findings from the investigation, leading to Bentley’s indictment on the following charges:
Involuntary manslaughter – This charge stems from the death of volunteer Firefighter Trevor Brown.
Unlawful release of hazardous materials – Bentley is accused of releasing liquified petroleum gas (propane) in violation of the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code.
Unlawful failure to maintain required records – According to the investigation, Bentley allegedly failed to document the unauthorized discharge of propane, a critical safety violation under the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code.
Unlawful failure to control or mitigate hazardous discharge – Bentley also faces charges for not taking the necessary steps to control or mitigate the propane leak, as required by law.
This explosion not only resulted in the loss of a firefighter but also posed significant dangers to the broader community, as 11 first responders were injured while responding to the emergency.
New court documents say back in 2021, Southern States knew there was a problem with the tank but because the homeowner wasn't using it for her pool, the problem was never corrected.
The homeowner called the company this year to service the tank since she wanted to sell the house. The plan was for Southern States to address the tank in late February, but according to the search warrants, an employee showed up earlier unannounced to fill up the tank. The document said the employee became frantic over the strong smell of gas and called three supervisors to say there was a leak because of the tank's old condition. He suggested digging up the tank or removing the rest of the propane.
Bentley arrived about two hours later at 4:30 p.m. and suggested they let the tank leak the propane out and "let it seep on the ground, and be on their merry way," per the search warrant. Four hours later, the house exploded.
"I was not surprised because we knew things were not handled correctly by the company," a next-door neighbor told WUSA9. "The fact that they did not come out that night and she [homeowner] had to rely on the fire department coming out, we knew there were missteps from the get-go."
The site of the explosion was finally cleared about three weeks ago, according to the HOA president. To this day, you can still see insulation still wedged in between tree branches. Some homes haven't been fully repaired.
Seneca Ridge HOA President Steven Honard believes Southern States should share the blame.
"I think they both have some culpability in this but there definitely needs to be accountability for these first responders," Honard said. "Somebody passed away here and we just can't get over that."
The fire marshal's office imposed restrictions on the company for a few weeks after the incident, but they've long been lifted.
Southern States Cooperative, Inc. gave WUSA9 the following statement on Tuesday:
"Southern States has been cooperating fully with federal and local investigations related to an explosion at a Loudoun County residence that led to the destruction of a residence and the death of a volunteer firefighter and injuries to others. Based on our own internal inquiry into the incident and an extensive review of our safety protocols and training, particularly as they relate to the handling of propane consistent with the industry’s Energy Compliance Manual, we have made what we believe to be appropriate personnel changes in the region and are moving forward with a renewed commitment toward ensuring that our procedures and training are rigorous and sound, reflecting our otherwise stellar safety record of serving customers’ energy needs for more than 84 years in Leesburg, Virginia. Given the pending litigation and ongoing investigation, we will have no comment on the details of the incident nor, as a matter of policy, on personnel matters."
Meanwhile, Honard said the community is working to raise money to purchase the land from the homeowner. The plan is to transform the site into a memorial park honoring Brown and the other first responders.
A GoFundMe has been created to help raise support.
The Loudoun County Fire and Rescue System reminds residents of the grave risks associated with propane use and offers safety guidelines to prevent such tragedies.
Propane Safety Tips:
In light of this tragic incident, the Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System is emphasizing the importance of propane safety. To protect yourself, your family, and your property, follow these guidelines:
Use professionals – Ensure that propane systems and appliances are installed, inspected, serviced, and repaired only by your propane retailer or a qualified professional.
Understand your propane system – Familiarize yourself with the manufacturer’s instructions and the warnings associated with your propane system and appliances.
Avoid running out of propane – Running out of propane can create serious safety hazards. If your supply is low or depleted, a qualified professional must inspect your system before gas service is resumed.
Locate underground gas lines and tanks – Before any digging or construction work on your property, contact VA Miss Utility at 811 to identify underground propane lines and tanks.
Protect valves and gauges – Ensure all valves and gauges are covered and protected from the elements or insects.
How to identify a propane leak:
Recognizing the signs of a propane leak can be lifesaving. Here’s what to look out for.
- Hissing or blowing sounds – Listen for any unusual noises like hissing or blowing.
- Blowing dirt or dying vegetation – A propane leak may cause surrounding vegetation to wilt or die.
- Rotten-egg odor – Propane has a distinctive odor, often compared to rotten eggs, to help detect leaks.
What to do if you suspect a propane leak:
If you smell gas or believe there is a propane leak, follow these steps.
Evacuate immediately – Leave the area at once. If you are indoors, get outside quickly. If you are already outside, move away from the suspected leak.
Call 911 and your propane supplier – From a safe location, call 911 and notify your propane retailer. Wait for emergency crews to arrive before returning to the property.
For more detailed fire prevention and life safety information, visit the Loudoun County Fire Marshal’s Office website at www.loudoun.gov/firemarshal or call the LCFR-FMO at 703-737-8600.